Broken Barns - Door County Plein Air

Broken Barns, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Peninsula School of Art, Guenzel Gallery

Another piece from the Door County Plein Air Festival...
These dilapidated old barns were in a hidden field on the north end of the Door County peninsula. I didn't see any "No Trespassing" signs and no one lived nearby, so I helped myself to a delightfully quiet morning. I even got ambitious and decided to take some process pictures as I painted, but promptly forgot after shooting the block-in and location pictures below. I guess I was having too much fun. You know what they say about good intentions! Below is the beginning and above is the finished painting.

Broken Barns Block-in, 8 x 16

Line and mass underdrawing

Using French ultramarine and burnt sienna

Broken Barns - location shot 

Block-in complete, ready for color

Sorry, I forgot to take pictures during the process...

Hill Country Morning and 3 Workshop Openings!

Hill Country Morning, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

A few weekends ago, Plein Air Austin met up out in the hill country and it was such a joy to be out. It was a bit of a cold January morning for us (I shouldn't complain - we are so spoiled at this time of year in Texas), but it was worth every layer to be outside dipping those brushes in paint. :) 

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UPCOMING WORKSHOP OPENINGS...

Due to some cancellations, 3 spots just opened up in my plein air workshop May 17-19, in St. Simon's Island, Georgia. Three days, 9am - 4pm, class limited to 15 people, $375. For a complete description: click HERE (disregard "sold out" sign on website). To register: contact Mary Anderson 912-634-8414.

A New Road and an unexpected detour

A New Road, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

Some new directions beckon like a siren song... we see the road and long to follow it. But some paths take us on unexpected detours we would rather avoid. I am currently on one of those life detours....


One week before Thanksgiving I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although this was a really scary news to receive, it was stage one, easily removed and totally treatable. Early detection made ALL the difference. I know I am fortunate - I am going to be completely well soon and am very grateful. 


Things move fast in the cancer world, and that's a good thing. But long story short... I had a lumpectomy on December 1, took a few weeks to heal from that, and had a wonderful Christmas with my family. Then, right after Christmas, I began radiation treatments - five days a week until February 17 (no chemo needed, and I am thrilled.) So far I am not experiencing side effects, but typically fatigue sets in about halfway through. I am generally pretty high energy, but I know it will hit me at some point and have adjusted my schedule accordingly. Meanwhile, I picked up my brushes this week for the first time since the diagnosis and it felt really good - THAT was a victory. 


I thank God that this detour will be a relatively short one for me. And here's the thing... trials have a way of leading us to personal growth. They help us adjust our perspective and priorities, and demand that we remember our affinities. I am trying to embrace that reality and grab onto the lessons being offered. 


Is it me, or does the sun seem to be shining just a little more brightly these days? Happy New Year to us all! 


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